Helicopter funeral hears of love

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Emotional tributes have been paid at the first of the funerals of the 16 victims of the North Sea Super Puma helicopter tragedy.

Stuart Wood, 27, from Newmachar in Aberdeenshire, was one of the youngest victims of the crash on 1 April.

Mr Wood's long-term girlfriend, Laura Cunningham, said: "I am just sorry I did not get to spend the rest of my life with him."

The service at Newmachar Church was attended by about 700 people.

Mr Wood's partner added: "The last seven years have been amazing, I am so grateful for them.

I have to say that in the 17 years I have been a minister I have never experienced such an outpouring of love and support for a grieving family The Rev Manson Merchant

"I just want to say 'Thank you, Woody, I love you'."

The Rev Manson Merchant, who conducted the service, spoke of a "young man who loved life".

He said: "Woody was a very popular man and was loved by so many people.

"I have to say that in the 17 years I have been a minister I have never experienced such an outpouring of love and support for a grieving family."

Colleagues also paid tribute during the service.

Other funerals

Donations were being made to air and sea rescue services.

Services will be held for fellow crash victims James Costello, 24, and 62-year-old Alex Dallas - both from Aberdeen - on Wednesday.

Warren Mitchell, 38, from Oldmeldrum, and the helicopter's co-pilot Richard Menzies, 24, from Droitwich Spa, will be laid to rest on Thursday.

All the 16 men who died - and a 17th killed in an unrelated offshore accident the same day - were remembered at a memorial service in Aberdeen last week.

Mr Wood's service came as it was announced the fleet of Super Puma helicopters operating in the UK will begin to return to service on Tuesday.

The two types of Super Puma helicopter have been checked by ground staff and modifications made to gearboxes after the crash off the Aberdeenshire coast.

An initial report indicated a gearbox failure.

Meanwhile, the British Airline Pilots' Association has called on trades unions to back a wide-ranging safety summit in the wake of the tragedy.